Cheltenham Review:On a day of improbable comebacks Sizing Europe shook off the memory of Champion Hurdle disappointment two years ago with an impressive win in the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Henry de Bromhead’s eight-year-old let down favourite backers in 2008 when tailed off in the hurdling blue riband but looks the real deal over fences judged on this impressive triumph.
De Bromhead said: “He seemed to be travelling brilliantly and jumping great. He got a fantastic ride and it all went right on the day.
“Hopefully he’ll be back next year for the Queen Mother.”
Sizing Europe’s achievement was still overshadowed by Nicky Henderson’s Binocular, who made a comeback of Lazarus-like proportions to land the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle with Tony McCoy on board
The six-year-old looked a major player having finished a close-up third 12 months ago, but three below-par efforts this term led to connections ruling him out of this year’s race just a month ago.
However, a couple of improved pieces of work last week forced a rethink and it proved to be the correct decision as the 9-1 chance travelled ominously well throughout before quickening away after the last to beat Khyber Kim comfortably.
Henderson said: “It hasn’t been an easy passage this year. When he was beaten last year, we said he’d come back and AP (McCoy) said he would win it.
“We were actually nine-tenths taking him out and we said he wouldn’t run. We did a lot of work. We’ve got a fantastic team and we ironed out a few things.”
The day got off to the worst possible start for punters as the supposed banker of the day, Dunguib, was beaten at odds-on in the Spinal Research Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
All went swimmingly for a long way but he could not pick up when push came to shove and it was Philip Hobbs’ 12-1 shot Menorah who struck gold under Richard Johnson.
Dunguib is now likely to stick to the novice route at next month’s Punchestown Festival.
Willie Mullins’ Quevega took the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle for the second successive year under Ruby Walsh with another imperious display.
Just as she did 12 months ago, the 6-4 favourite quickened to the lead turning for home and the result was in little doubt there after.
Michael Hourigan’s A New Story (25-1) ended Enda Bolger’s cross-country domination when landing the Glenfarclas Handicap Chase.
Results: Cheltenham Festival Day One
1.30 Spinal Research Supreme Novices' Hurdle
1 Menorah (R Johnson) 12-1
2 Get Me Out Of Here (A P McCoy) 9-2
3 Dunguib (Mr B T O'Connell) 4-5 Fav
18 ran
Also: 11-1 Oscar Whisky 4th
2.05 Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy
1 Sizing Europe (A E Lynch) 6-1
2 Somersby (R Thornton) 4-1
3 Osana (A J McNamara) 14-1
12 ran
Also: 5-2 Fav Captain Cee Bee, 25-1 Mad Max 4th
2.40 William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase
1 Chief Dan George (P Aspell) 33-1
2 The Package (T J Murphy) 9-2 Fav
3 Ogee (J A McCarthy) 8-1
4 Offshore Account (D J Casey) 33-1
24 ran
3.20 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle
1 Binocular (A P McCoy) 9-1
2 Khyber Kim (P J Brennan) 7-1
3 Zaynar (A Tinkler) 15-2
12 ran
Also: 11-4 Fav Go Native, 7-1 Celestial Halo 4th
4.00 Glenfarclas Handicap Chase
1 A New Story (A P Heskin) 25-1
2 L'Ami (Mr J T McNamara) 4-1
3 Lacdoudal (R Flint) 28-1
4 Another Jewel (D J Condon) 16-1
16 ran
Also: 7-4 Fav Garde Champetre
4.40 David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle
1 Quevega (R Walsh) 6-4 Fav
2 Carole's Legacy (A Tinkler) 20-1
3 Voler La Vedette (B J Geraghty) 9-4
17 ran
Also: 33-1 Amber Brook 4th
